Scientists at Rice University have made a breakthrough in understanding strange metals, materials that don’t follow the usual rules of electricity and magnetism. Using quantum Fisher information, a tool from quantum computing, researchers revealed how electrons become highly entangled at a specific point, shedding light on these unusual materials.
Strange metals exhibit unpredictable behavior, making it challenging to explain their electrical properties using standard physics. To investigate, the team used quantum Fisher information (QFI) to track electron interactions under extreme conditions. Their results show that electron entanglement peaks at what’s known as a quantum critical point, the boundary between two different states of matter.
The researchers focused on the Kondo lattice model and found that entanglement reaches its peak precisely at this transition point. This new approach combines quantum information science with condensed matter physics, offering a fresh perspective on these materials.
The study has significant implications for next-generation superconductors and energy-efficient technologies. Understanding strange metals could revolutionize power grids by making energy transmission more efficient. The research also demonstrates the application of quantum information tools to other exotic materials, providing a new framework for characterizing complex materials like high-temperature superconductors.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/this-quantum-breakthrough-could-unlock-strange-metals-and-the-future-of-superconductors